Tractor cultivator attachment



July 17. 1928.

. c. Y. THOMSON, SR

TRACTOR CULTIVATOR ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 1927 I I I A 1 1 W\\ c. Y. THoMsoN,.sR

TRACTOR CULTIIVATOR ATTACHMENT July 17, 1928.

F iled'Jan. 6, 1927 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 v 13712 21507? dxTfwm/flomfi n nym h"! Ill-ll I: Mw xh H I I m M u l u WWW mmlm Patented Jul 17, 1928;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE YOUNG THOMSON, SF, OF CHAPMAN RANCH, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB TO INTER- NATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TRACTOR GULTIVATOR ATTACHMENT.

Application filed January 6, 1927. Serial No. 159,268.

This invention relates to tractor cultivators, and more particularly to an auxiliary attachment for existing types of such machines which may be used to convert the machine into a cultivator for working an increased number of plant rows. 1

More specifically theobject of the invention is to provide a simple and practical form of extension attachment for tractor 1o cultivators of the type shown in the patent to Benjamin et al, No. 1,539,108, May 26, 1925, so that the two row tractor cultivator therev shown may be converted into afour row machine. This main object of the invention is attainedby providing an extension bar for each end of the main implement carrying member, which bar is adapted to be hingedly connected to the end of said member and to be carried on a ground enlogag'ing support, such as a caster wheel, so that it may move or. float vertically. This bar is provided with an auxiliary pair of cultivator gan 's and with means for adj usting the ground engaging support vertically as conditions may require. Preferably the extension bars are braced or held in position by-a secondary frame bar extending across the tractor at the rear thereof and which is provided with thrust bars connected to the ends of the extension bars. The invention accordingly resides in the general or- .anization, details of construction and parts, which will hereinafter be more particularly described and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings,- I Figure 1 is a plan view of a four row tractor cultivator embodying the attachment comprising the invention, the tractor being shown in broken lines; v Figure 2 is a. similar side view; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view, showing the hinge connection between the main implement member and an extension bar.

In its present embodiment the invention is shown in connection with a tractor comprising a longitudinally extending body 10 and a rear transversely extending axle structure 11 carried on widely spaced traction wheels 12. The wheels 12 are so spaced as to span two plant rows.

body 10 is supported on a steering truck 13 under control of a steering wheel 14 at the rear of the tractor. "This tractor carries at its front a transversely extendin frame 55 member 15, which is so connected to the trac- The front of the tractor tor, through pivotal supporting arms 16, as to be laterally shiftable with respect thereto through actuation by the steering movement of the truck, there being a connection between the steering truck and the member 15 consisting of an arm 17 fixed 0n the steering post of the truck and a, link 18 connected to a bracket 19 on the member 15. The member 15 extends across the space spanned by the rear traction wheels and each end of said member carries a pair of cultivator beams 20, which are positioned to cultivate rows of plants within said space. The structure so far briefly described is substantially that of the tractor cultivator shown in the Ben am1n et al patent aforesaid and forms no part of-the present invention except as it combines and cooperates therewith.-

In the practice of the present invention an auxiliary extension attachment is provided for eachend of the main implement carrymg frame member 15, each extension comprlsing a hollow bar 21 of similar shape and diameter as the main member 15 and havmg means for hinged connection to the end 80 of member 15 comprising complementary hinge portions 22, 23-having portions extending into the bores of the member 15 and bar 21, both of which are tubular in form. Each bar 21 is, at least, of suflicient length to permit connection thereto of an auxiliary pair of cultivator gangs 24 which may be identical in kind to the beams 20 and supported on the bar 21, through an arched member 25 and depending bearing arms 25, in the same manner as are the beams 20.

The extension bar 21 has connected to its forward side a forwardly projecting bracketmember 26 which may be braced by truss bars 27 and also braced on the extension bar 5 by diagonal bars 28, as'shown in- Figure 1. The for lard end of member 26 carries a bearing bracket 29 in which is journaled a vertical standard or spindle of a freel swiveled caster wheel-30. The bearing racket 29 is formed with an upstanding extension 31 on which is fulcrumed a lever 32, which extends over the top of the caster wheel standard where it is provided with a bearing cap 33, which bears on the end of the standard of the caster wheel 30. The forward end of lever 32 projects ahead of the bracket 29, and a tension spring 34 connects the end of lever 32 with bracket 29 and assists in lowering the caster wheel, the standacross the rear of the ard of which is both slidable and rotatable "in its support. In connection with the exm Figure 1.

' '1 Each end of this secondary bar serves as the bar 35 and 1 front end, as at 'a support or abutment for the rear end of a -main thrust bar or brace 36 loosely con-' nected on a bolt .36 or similar element on pivotally connected at its 3 to the end of the extension bar 21 so as'not to "interfere with the normal vertical movement ofthe extension bar. A secondary thrust bar or brace. 36*,

- also loosely carried on bolt 36 at its rear end and connected at itsfront end to the lower end of the outer depending member 25, may also be employed to resist the pull of the cultivator gangs on the end of the auxiliary attachment. The secondary bar also serves as the carrying member for an ad-- j usting lever 38 which is connected by means of a link or rod 39 with upstanding end of lever 32, as-shown in Figure 2. -It will be obvious that swinging of lever 38 will impart vertical movement to the standard of the caster wheel 30 and thereby vary the inclination of the extension bar 21. Each of the extension gangs 24 is provided with a lifting and lowering means which may a be similar in character to that with which the inner gangs 20 are equipped, said means comprising an actuating rod 40 connected at itsrear end to anadjuting lever 41, which may be mounted on the similar actuating rod for the pair of gangs 20. The forward end of this rod is connected to the arch 25" and also to each of the beams 24 through lifting links 42. Actuation of lever 41.,will,

therefore, serve to rock the arch member 25 and simultaneously move the links 42 either forwardly or backwardly, thereby transmitting a arallel lift to the beams 24 in sub stantially the same manner as described in the patent aforesaid in connection with the lifting mechanism for the beams 20.

' It will be understood that the extension attachments for each side of the tractor are identical and that the description of one extension attachment above given applies to a both. It will, therefore;v be evident that a the standard machine,

simplaand convenientzmeans for converting a two irow tractorfcultivator of standard type into a four-row machine has been'procan be made readily without altering the construction of thereby permitting such atractor cultivator to beemployed either as a two row or four row machine. Other advantages of the construction will. be obvious to those skilled in the art.

While the above disclosure exemplifies the preferred embodiment of the invention, it

tractor body, as shown will be evident that it is capable of considerfollowing claims.

What is claimed is;

1. The combination With-a tractor cultivatorj having a rigid frame member extending laterally therefrom to a point beyond the tractor wheel tread, of an extension for said member comprising a bar hinged to the end of said memherfor vertical movenient, a caster Wheel supporting said bar,

and cultivating tools' having beams connect-l ed to the bar. I

2. The combination with a tractor cult1- vator having a rigid frame member extending laterally therefrom to a point beyond the tiactor Wheel tread, of an extension forsaid member comprising a bar hinged -to the end of said member for vertical movement, a forwardly extending supporting bracket on said bar, a caster Wheel swiveled on said supporting bracket, :and cultivating tools having beams connected to the bar and trailing rearwardly therefrom.

3. The combination with a tractor cultivator having a rigid frame member extending laterally therefrom at the front of the tractor, of an extension for said member comprising a bar hinged to the end of said member for vertical movement, cultivating tools carried by said bar, a second frame member extending laterally from the rear of the tractor, a vertically adjustable caster wheel supporting said extension bar, and means for adjusting the caster wheel to vary =means including an actuating element mounted'on said second laterally extending frame member.

4. An auxiliary gang attachment fortrac tor cultivatorshaving widely spaced rear traction wheels, a rigid, frame member extending across the front of the tractor and spanning the s ace between said wheels and cultivating too s carried by each end of said member within said space; attachments comprising extensions for the ends of said member each extension comprisin a bar adapted to'be hinged to the end of caster wheel supporting the bar, a pair of vertically shiftable cultivator beams connected to the bar and trailing therefrom, and means for raising and lowering the beams including an actuating rod extending rearwardly and having means for connection to the tractor.

5. An auxiliary gang attachment for tractor cultivators having widely spaced rear traction wheels, a rigid frame member extending across the front of the tractor and spanning the space between said wheels and cultivating tools carried by each end of said member within said-space; said auxiliary'atsaid auxiliary lltl .the member for vertical movement, a.

tachinents comprising extensions forfthe ends qr said membereach extensioii comprisin a bar adapted to be hinged to the end .0 the member for vertical movement, as'upportlng bracketprojecting fromthe forward side of said bar, a caster wheel swiveled in a bearing on said su portin' bracket,

cultivator beams connecte to an trailing at the rear ofsaid bar, a secondary frame .bar adapted to be connected across the tracto'r on the rear thereof, and a thrust bar loosely connecting-the end ofthe extension ends of said member each extension comprisbar with said secondary frame member.

tor "cultivators having widely spaced rear member within said space; 'srid auxiliary attachments -comprising extensions forthe ing a bar ada ted to be hinged to the end of the :member tically shiftable ground engagin carried by the bar, means 1adapte for-actuation from a point on the tractor for adjusting the support, and cultivating means trail ingfrom the bar. f I

An a'uxiliar gang attachment for tractor Cultivators aving widely spaced rear traction wheels, a, rigid frame member extending across the front of the tractor and spanning'the s ace between said wheels and cultivating too 5 carried by each end of said member within said space; said auxiliary or vertical movement, a versupport attachments com "rising. extensions for the ends of said mem ing a bar adapted to be hinged to the end of the member. for vertical movement, aground engaging support, carried by the bar, and

cultivating means trailin from the bar.

2' each extension comprisy In testimony whereof aflix my signature. CLARENCE YOUNGITHOISONLSLI 

